Silverado St. Charles is a specialized memory care community centrally located to serve individuals and families from surrounding areas such as Evanston, Schaumburg, Aurora, Chicago, Janesville, and Rockford. The community is designed to provide much more than traditional assisted living, focusing exclusively on enriching the lives of individuals living with memory impairment, including Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. With its campus-like setting, Silverado St. Charles creates an environment where residents can experience peace, calm, and a sense of purpose within a secure and welcoming atmosphere.
The community features three distinct care “neighborhoods” to support residents at various stages of memory loss, ensuring that each person receives care tailored to their individual needs. Specialized amenities and features have been thoughtfully developed to serve the unique requirements of those living with dementia. One of the innovative highlights at Silverado St. Charles is the Nexus at Silverado program, which is an internationally recognized, evidence-based brain health initiative. This non-drug approach has demonstrated improvements in cognition and function, particularly for individuals in the earlier stages of dementia, and is designed to foster engagement, connection, and purpose without the use of medication.
Central to Silverado St. Charles’s philosophy is a highly trained team that undergoes comprehensive certification, including 40 hours of classroom and hands-on training, to ensure the highest standard of memory care. Residents benefit from the expertise of a medical director with credentials in psychiatry, neurology, and sleep medicine, as well as the guidance of licensed nurses available 24 hours a day. Social work services are led by masters-level professionals, and the staff works collaboratively to create a nurturing, supportive environment that respects each resident’s dignity and individuality.
Life at Silverado St. Charles is vibrant, with a wide array of amenities and activities designed to provide fulfillment and daily structure. Community spaces include the bistro, living room, playground, and special clubs such as the Baking Club, where residents can participate in meaningful and enjoyable pursuits. Outings to local attractions like the St. Charles History Museum and The Chocolate Kitchen reflect the commitment to keeping residents connected to the wider community, even during colder weather.
The leadership and staff at Silverado St. Charles bring a wealth of experience and passion to their roles. The community’s administrator, Jill Parrish, holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is dedicated to supporting families and residents throughout the aging process, fostering an environment of respect and purpose. The Director of Health Services, Urszula Kuczynska, has built her career in memory care, progressing from culinary aide to registered nurse and continually advocating for residents’ well-being. Anna Bovio, Director of Resident & Family Services, leverages her background in psychology and social work to guide families through the challenges of memory care, while Monic Rayford serves as Community Ambassador, drawing on her experience in homecare, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, as well as hospice, to instill confidence in the families she supports.
Culinary services are overseen by Tim Lazzara, who brings more than 14 years of experience in senior living to the table, ensuring that every meal is both nutritious and appealing. Wendi Menchaca, Assistant Director of Health Services, and Brittany Krause, Sr. Clinical Staff and Office Manager, round out the leadership team with their compassionate approach and dedication to forming meaningful connections with residents and families.
Silverado St. Charles stands as a leader in memory care, combining a homelike environment, innovative programs, and a deeply experienced team to support individuals and their families through every stage of the memory care journey. Through a thoughtful blend of clinical expertise, purposeful activities, and compassionate support, the community is committed to enabling residents to live with dignity, engagement, and joy every day.